Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and its impact on body weight and menstrual cycle in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Objectives. Our study evaluated the adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) from Suceava, Romania, and the effects of this diet on their body weight and regulation of the menstrual cycle, respectively. Methodology. Data collection for the cross-sectional study was performed using the PREDIMED questionnaire, which provided information about the adherence to the Mediterranean diet of 30 women (mean age=37 years old; SD±7.7) diagnosed with PCOS, from Suceava County, Romania, monitored between December 2020 and April 2021. Results. PREDIMED scores in 30 PCOS patients showed 43.3% of patients with low (≤5) and 56.7% with moderate (6-9) adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Higher MD adherence correlated with a lower BMI  (r=-0.4; p=0.0255; 95% CI; -0.6 to 0.05) and lower mean body weight (62 kg versus 69 kg). No significant differences were found regarding age, residence, alcohol/smoking habits, or menstrual regulation based on MD adherence. Risky behaviors didn’t impact menstrual cycle, except for olive oil consumption. The preference for using oil in the diet and, especially, the daily intake of at least four tablespoons correlated negatively with cycle regulation (r=-0.38; p=0.0325; 95% CI; -0.73 to -0.03; and r=-0.56; p=0.0013; 95% CI; -0.76 to -0.25, respectively). Conclusions. Our results showed that the Mediterranean diet is beneficial in terms of body weight management in women with PCOS, but not in regulating menstruation.